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Chapter 183
~Author’s POV~
Storm folded his arms, scrutinising them both with that intense older-brother stare that once made Solstice confess to sneaking into the war room at thirteen.
"You’re playing a dangerous ga, both of you," he muttered. "And if Father finds out—"
"He won’t," Valerie countered rather sharply. "Not from . And not from you."
Storm exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You two are going to get killed."
Solstice smiled. "That’s the spirit."
After a long pause, Storm finally gave a single nod. "Fine. I’ll help. But if either of you do anything reckless—again—you’re answering to before Father."
"Deal," Valerie said.
Solstice crossed her fingers behind her back. "Totally."
Storm didn’t want to know what that ant. He just turned and scanned the courtyard again, now with more intent.
"Start talking," he said. "Who do we suspect, and what’s the plan?" Valerie and Solstice exchanged glances. "What?"
"Well, no plan or no suspect," Solstice started.
"What?"
"Huh, well.. I may have a lead, though. Solstice and I are planning on using the break to sneak out again."
"What happened to sneaking out on a typical day? You two are trained at infiltration, or have you forgotten?"
Solstice gave Valerie the ’I told you so’ glance, and she glared daggers at her.
"More like distracted," Solstice muttered, and Valerie held back the urge to smack her across the head.
"I haven’t, Storm," Valerie quickly defended herself.
"Then what? Explain it all to ."
"I... Well, I have an issue."
"What issue?"
"Boy issue," Solstice chipped in.
"Solstice Aura Gold, I swear if you interrupt one more ti, you will regret coming to PSA." Waves of aura swirled around Valerie as she pressed her lips into a thin line.
"Storm..." Valerie drawled, "...yes, I have a boy problem, but not in the way that you think. Riven... the Student Council Vice President, has his sharp eyes everywhere, making it hard."
"But you are sharper, aren’t you?"
Valerie nodded. "I am."
"Then that is enough. You would do what needs to be done as discreetly as you can."
"I will. You do not have to worry."
"Good girl." Storm turned towards Solstice. "And you, behave. Do not cause trouble for Vi. And Valerie, please, be safe. Look out for each other. I love you both."
Both girls nodded and walked closer to him, enveloping him in a big hug.
"Father would know soon enough, but I will need to talk to him personally. Mother can’t go through this stress."
Solstice lowered her gaze and nodded.
"Besides, mother’s pregnant."
At once, Solstice lifted her head. "What?"
"Yes. We found out yesterday. She was stressed, and she collapsed as a result." Pain and fear flickered in Solstice’s eyes. "Hey, Sol... it is alright. I will inform Dad next week and ease the news carefully."
Valerie nodded as she lightly pressed Solstice’s shoulder.
"Alright. Thank you."
"Okay, girls, I need to leave now. Take care of yourself."
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~Axel’s POV~
The video had gone viral before lunch ended. Not just across our class group but school-wide.
Every damn screen, every damn corridor—it was all eyes, whispers, and heavy silences trailing behind Valerie like chains.
And yet, when I spotted her in the south courtyard with Erald, Astraea, and Isla, she looked calm. Too calm.
She didn’t glance my way once.
I wanted to walk up to her—pull her aside, apologise, say sothing, anything—but I didn’t. It was not because I was scared, but the sha froze in my gut and the reminder of how I’d acted that night.
So instead, I turned on my heel and made my way toward the Alpha King’s Building. If anyone knew how to reach Valerie right now, it would be Xade, Kai and Dristan.
But Dristan was much of a dominant, possessive puppy, which should have been Kai’s thing, but Kai suddenly has beco low-key, a possessive softie for Valerie.
Xade was the one who had been with her that day and could better understand what her decision was after I ssed up.
At the very least, he wouldn’t judge for trying.
I found him just outside the building, loosening the collar of his training shirt, hair damp from sweat, while his guild mbers all filed away. He looked like he was done for the day—or trying to be.
"Xade!" I called out.
He glanced back, blinking against the sunlight before arching a brow at . "Axel."
I jogged closer. "Have you seen Valerie?"
Xade shrugged, completely nonchalant. "Nope."
That made frown. "Don’t you want to know how she’s doing? Especially after the issue with Kieran, whom I haven’t seen since to give him a piece of ."
"Maybe he is getting punished by Principal Whitmore," Xade said lazily as he tucked his hands into his pocket, his silver hair falling over his left eye.
"I already planned to check in on Valerie later," he said, starting to walk again. "Figured she’d be busy with one of you lot first. Thought I’d catch her after the heat dies down. That way it is quieter."
The ease in his voice didn’t help my nerves. I rubbed the back of my neck, hesitating before I finally exhaled and slouched onto the stone bench near the walkway.
"I..." I didn’t know where to begin.
Xade turned, narrowing his gaze. "What? You still scared to face her after blowing up on her the other night?"
I winced.
"Yeah, you were a real jerk," he added bluntly.
"I know." I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to look up at him. "I just—seeing that video, seeing Kieran try that shit—gods, Xade, I should’ve been there."
"But you weren’t," he said in a flat tone.
My chest ached.
"And when you were there, what did you do?" he continued. "You snapped. You made her feel guilty for caring."
"I didn’t an to—"
Xade raised a hand, cutting off. "Don’t explain it to , Axel. I’m not the one who cried after you blad her."
Those words sank in deep. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the guilt sweep over again.
Xade sighed, finally walking over and leaning beside on the bench.
"She blas herself, you know," he said, softer now. "For asking. For pushing. Even though she was trying to understand us."
I looked over at him, swallowing. "I want to talk to her. I want to set it right."
"You think saying sorry will fix it?"
"No." I shook my head. "But it’s a start."
Xade went quiet. Then he pushed off the bench, stretching slightly as he cracked his knuckles.
"I’ll set sothing up," he said.
I blinked. "You will?"
"I’m not doing it for you," he added imdiately, smirking. "Hell, if anything, I should be glad. That’s one less mate in the race."
I groaned but he was right. He didn’t owe anything.
Xade laughed lightly, but I could feel his sincerity. "But I’m doing it for her. So she stops walking around with that look like she broke sothing she can’t fix."
I nodded, pushing to my feet. "Thanks, man."
Xade grinned. "Don’t thank yet. You still gotta face her. And if you ss up again, I’m not stepping in next ti."
"Fair," I muttered.
"Okay, I’ll try to get her to co to the house. Now go prepare your speech."
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